Ventilating and shock absorbing cushion



Oct- 1 1962 L. J. ZERBEE 3,058,125

VENTILATING AND SHOCK ABSORBING CUSHION Filed Feb. 23, 1960 INVENTOR.LOU/5 J. 26 5355 United States Patent Ofiice 3,058,125 Patented Oct. 16,1962 3,058,125 VENTKLATING AND SHQCK ABSORBING CUSHION Louis J. Zerbee,301 Chillicothe Ave., Bellefontaine, Ohio Fiied Feb. 23, 1960, Ser. No.111,241 16 Claims. (Cl. -347) This invention relates to a ventilatingand shock absorbing cushion and more particularly to a cushionfabricated with resilient strands, or the equivalent. However, theinvention is not necessarily so limited.

An object of this invention is to provide a ventilating cushion havingthe characteristic of yielding to conform approximately to the contourof the body of the user, the cushion having sufficient rigidity that anair space will be maintained in the cushion.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cushion made withresilient strands for-med into closely spaced tubular elements.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a cushion made withresilient strands formed into closely spaced tubular elements, theelements having meshing Wall portions whereby one may move partiallyinto the other.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a cushion made witha single sheet of resilient reticulated or otherwise perforated fabricformed into closely spaced tubular elements, the tubular element havingmeshing wall portions whereby one may expand into the other.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of parts, thecombination thereof, the method of manufacture and the mode ofoperation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

In the drawings,

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View illustrating the cushion of thisinvention partially inserted into a protective cover- FIGURE 2 is anenlarged fragmentary perspective view of the cushion.

FIGURE 3 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of thecushion.

Referring to the drawing in greater detail, a cushion is seen inFIGURE 1. Ordinarily, this cushion is inserted into a protectiveenvelope 12 formed of a suitable loosely woven fabric. This envelope maybe formed from any suitable material such as jute or hemp, sisal, linen,cotton, straw, grass, plastic, glass fibers, or the like, or it maycomprise a porous envelope of paper fiber or an other suitable material.

The envelope and the cushion are designed for use as a ventilating padon chairs, automobile seats, theater seats, stadium seats, and so on.However, it will become apparent in the following that the cushion inthis invention has independent utility, the envelope being illustratedand described merely for the purpose of demonstrating one applicationfor the cushion.

Functionally, the cushion must yield somewhat to conform to the bodyshape of the user; but must be sufficiently rigid that it will notcollapse under use, cutting oh the flow of air under the user. Therequirements for resiliency are particularly important when the cushionis to be used on automobile seats or theater seats, or the like, asthese seats are engineered to conform to the body shape of the user.

Referring to FIGURE 2 of the drawing, it Will be seen that the cushion10 is formed with a plurality of parallel Wires or strands 14. Thesestrands may be formed with a metal such as steel or they may comprisesuitably resilient organic or mineral fibers. As illustrated in FIG- URE3, each strand 14 is folded at a plurality of spaced points along itslength to form a plurality of slightly overlapping circular loops. Thus,FIGURE 3 illustrates a strand 14 folded at 16a then arched upwardly toform a loop 15a terminating at a second reverse fold 18a. The strandthen travels along a substantially straight course 20a and then isfolded a third time at 16b to form another loop 15b terminating at areverse fold 18b. Thereafter the wire follows another straight course 2%to .a fold 16c, then through another loop to a reverse fold 180, thenthrough another straight course 200 to a fold 16d, and so on. It will beobserved that the folds 16 are opposite to the folds 18.

The straight courses 20a, 20b, et cetera, constitute linear woven stripsextending in a plane substantially tangential to the loops 15a, 15b, etcetera. As clearly seen in FIGURE 2, the diameter of the loops 15a, 15bet cetera, is greater than the adjacent strips 20a, 2%, et cetera. Thus,the strands of one loop overlap the strands of adjacent loops, thestrands of the several loops being offset from each other sufficientlyso that the strands of one loop are in edge to edge contact with thestrands of adjacent loops.

It is preferable that the looped strands 14 are formed from initiallystraight strands. When this is the case, the resiliency in the strandswill operate to resist formation of the loops 15, with the result thatthe loops will be tensioned. In order to retain the shape of thetensioned loops, the folds 16 and 18 are arranged to overlap partiallyand rods 21 are passed between the folds. Similarly, the several loops15 formed by the strand 14 are arranged to partially overlap one anotherso that rods 22 may be passed therebetween to lock the loops together.

The transverse locking rods 21 and 22 may be any of a number ofdiflferent types of material. Thus, they may be a metal such as steel,aluminum, or copper, or they may be a plastic, or a fibrou material suchas hemp or sisal or the like.

In forming the cushion, a plurality of like strands 14 are arranged inparallel relation with the several loops 15 therein aligned one with theother to simulate tubular elements, the several rods 21 and 22 passingthe entire width of the cushion. To secure the rods 21 and 22 in place,they may be hooked at their ends to engage the strands 14. While notillustrated, it is preferable to closely space the strands 14 at thelateral edges of the cushion to reinforce the edges against collapse.

The strands 14 are secured in their spaced parallel relationship bymeans of transverse strands 24 which may be woven through the strands14, is illustrated. These transverse strands 24 perform a number offunctions. In addition to supporting the strands 14 in spaced parallelrelation, they reinforce the loops '15 against a sidewise movement oneinto the other which would result in a collapse of the cushionstructure. They also assist in providing a uniform woven or reticulatedsurface. Thus, in some applications, the envelope .12 illustrated inFIG- URE 1 may be omitted entirely since the cushion itself provides anattractive, non-snagging surface which is not uncomfortable to the user;

The resulting cushion structure comprises a plurality of closely spacedtensioned tubular sections each of Which can yield under the Weight ofthe user. In yield ing, the tubular sections become oval in shape withthe strands 14 in one section projecting into the interior of theadjacent section, the loops in adjacent tubular sections meshing onewith the other. To allow for this yielding action, transverse strands 24are omitted from the region of meshing overlap, as shown. Due to thefact that the loops 15 are formed under tension, they will not take aset when distorted under the weight of the user. I

As one example, this cushion may be conveniently manufactured fromconventional woven wire screen material. Such a cushion-is made byfolding the warp wires in the screen at the proper intervals to form theloops 15. To allow for meshing of the several folds 16 and 18, one weftstrand may be withdrawn from the screen at each of the folds. Similarly,to allow for meshing of the side portions of the loops 15, a number ofweft strands are removed from the screen material at these points.

In the preceding example, modification of conventional wire screening isdiscussed. It is to be understood, however, that screen-like materialcan also be woven expressly for fabrication of the disclosed cushion. Inthis event, suitable gaps are provided between the weft strands atproper intervals, thus obviating the need to remove weft strands informing the cushion. In using woven materials for fabricating thecushion, it is also advantageous to provide a selvage at each lateraledge of the cushion. This prevents unraveling of the cushion andreinforces the edges. Of course, it is not intended by the precedingexamples to limit the scope of the present invention to the use ofmetallic wires. Rather, it will be apparent to one skilled in the artthat plastic and other organic or mineral fibers or strands may be used.It will also be apparent that a cushion of the type disclosed herein canbe fabricated from other than woven or reticuated fabrics. Thus, aresilient sheet material, perforated for ventilation purposes, may beused. In such event, the sheet material is provided with suitablystaggered openings which enable meshing of adjacent tubular elementsformed therein in the manner of the embodiment illustrated.

It will be observed that, when the cushion is put into use, the straightcourses 20 in the warp strands 14 provide webs between the adjacenttubular elements to allow bending of the cushion to adapt to the bodyshape of the user.

Although the preferred embodiment of the device has been described, itwill be understood that within the purview of this invention variouschanges may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement ofparts, the combination thereof and mode of operation, which generallystated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects setforth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A cushion member comprising a plurality of elongate strands ofresilient material, each strand having a plurality of folds spaced alongthe length thereof, successive folds turning oppositely, means securingalternate pairs of folds in each strand in adjacent relation, theportion of each strand between said adjacent folds being curved to formsubstantially circular loops, the loops in each strand being offsetsufficiently to overlap each other and being disposed in edge to edgesubstantially contiguous relation along the length of the strand, andmeans supporting the strands in closely spaced parallel relation, theloops in adjacent strands being aligned in side by side relation andcooperating to form parallel tubular cushioning elements.

2. A cushion member comprising a plurality of elongate strands ofresilient material, each strand having a plurality of folds spaced alongthe length thereof, successive folds turning oppositely, means securingalternate pairs of folds in each strand in adjacent relation, theportion of each strand between said adjacent folds being curved to formsubstantially circular loops, the loops in each strand being offsetsufficiently to overlap each other and being disposed in edge to edgesubstantially contiguous relation along the length of the strand, meanssupporting the strands in closely spaced parallel relation, the loops inadjacent strands being aligned in side by side relation and cooperatingto form parallel tubular cushioning element-s, and means engaging thecontiguous portions of the loops to secure the loops one to the other.

3. A cushion member comprising a plurality of elongate strands ofresilient material, each strand having a plurality of folds spaced alongthe length thereof, successive folds turning oppositely, means securingalternate pairs of folds in each strand in adjacent relation, theportion of strand between said adjacent folds being curved to formsubstantially circular tensioned loops, the loops in each strand beingoffset sufficiently to overlap each other and being disposed in edge toedge substantially contiguous relation along the length of the strand,and means including transverse second strands woven through the loopssupporting the first strands in closely spaced parallel relation, theloops in adjacent strands being aligned in side by side relation andcooperating with said second strands to form parallel tubular cushioningelements.

4. A cushion member comprising a plurality of elongate strands ofresilient material, each strand having a plurality of folds spaced alongthe length thereof, successive folds turning oppositely, alternate pairsof folds in each strand being disposed in adjacent relation, the portionof strands between the adjacent folds being curved to form substantiallycircular tensioned loops, the loops in each strand being offsetsufficiently to overlap each other and being disposed in edge to edgesubstantially contiguous relation along the length of the strand, meanssupporting the strands in closely spaced parallel relation with theloops in adjacent strands being aligned in side by side relation to formparallel tubular cushioning elements, the adjacent folds in saidparallel strands meshing, and means locking the strands in adjacenttubular elements together.

5. A cushion member comprising a plurality of elongate strands ofresilient material, each strand having a plurality of folds spaced alongthe length thereof, suc cessive folds turning oppositely, means securingthe alternate pairs of folds in each strand in adjacent relation, theportion of strands between the adjacent folds being curved to formsubstantially circular tensioned loops, the loops in each strand beingoffset sufficiently to overlap each other and being disposed in edge toedge substantially contiguous relation along the length of the strand,and means supporting the strands in closely spaced parallel relation,the loops in adjacent strands being aligned in side by side relation andcooperating to form parallel tubular cushioning elements, the contiguousportions of the loops in adjacent tubular elements meshing one with theother.

6. A cushion member comprising a plurality of strands of resilientmaterial, each strand having a plurality of folds spaced along thelength thereof, successive folds turning oppositely, means securingalternate pairs of folds in each strand in adjacent relation, theportion of strand between said adjacent folds being curved to formsubstantially circular tensioned loops, the loops in each strand beingoffset sufliciently to overlap each other and being disposed in edge toedge substantially contiguous relation along the length of the strand,means supporting the strands in closely spaced parallel relation, theloops in adjacent strands being aligned in side by side relation andcooperating to form parallel tubular cushioning elements, the loops inadjacent tubular elements meshing one between the other, and strandmeans passing between the meshing portions to lock the loops in meshingrelation.

7. A cushion member comprising a plurality of elongate strands ofresilient material, each strand having a plurality of folds spaced alongthe length thereof, successive folds turning oppositely, means securingalternate pairs of folds in each strand in adjacent relation, theportion of each strand between said adjacent folds being curved to formsubstantially circular tensioned loops, the loops in each strand beingoffset sufficiently to overlap each other and being disposed in edge toedge substantially contiguous relation along the length of the strand,and means including second strands woven through the first strandssecuring the first strands in closely spaced parallel relation, theloops in adjacent strands being aligned in side by side relation andcooperating to form parallel tubular cushioning elements, the loops inadjacent tubular elements meshing one between the other, there beingsuflicient clearance between said second strands to permit the loops ofone tubular element to move into the adjacent tubular element upon theloops being compressed by a load placed thereon.

8. A cushion member comprising a sheet of resilient material having aplurality of parallel folds therein spaced along the length thereof,successive folds turning oppositely, means securing alternate pairs offolds in adjacent relation, the portion of sheet material between saidadjacent folds being curved to form substantially circular tubularelements, said tubular elements being disposed in edge to edgesubstantially contiguous relation along the length of said sheet, saidsheet being provided with spaced parallel strand portions extendingalong the length thereof at the contiguous portions of said tubularelements, the strand portions in adjacent tubular elements meshing onewith the other.

9. A cushion member comprising a sheet of resilient material having aplurality of parallel folds therein spaced along the length thereof,successive folds turning oppositely, means securing alternate pairs offolds in adjacent relation, the portion of sheet material between saidadjacent folds being curved to form substantially circular tubularelements, said tubular elements being disposed in edge to edgesubstantially contiguous relation along the length of said sheet, saidsheet being provided with spaced parallel strand portions extendingalong the length thereof at the contiguous portions of said tubularelements, the strands in adjacent tubular elements meshing one with theother, and means locking the strand portions in adjacent tubularelements together.

10. A cushion member comprising a plurality of elongate strands ofresilient material, each strand having a plurality of folds spaced alongthe length thereof, successive folds turning oppositely, means seemingalternate pairs of folds in each strand in adjacent relation, theportion of strand between said adjacent folds being curved to formsubstantially circular tensioned loops, the loops in each strand beingoifset sufliciently to overlap each other and being disposed in edge toedge relation along the length of the strand, and means securing thestrands in fixed spaced parallel relation, the loops in said strandsmeshing one with the other.

11. A cushion member comprising a plurality of elongate strands ofresilient material, each strand having a plurality of partiallyoverlapping loops formed therein along the length thereof, said loops ofeach strand being offset sufiiciently to overlap each other, meanssecuring said loops in adjacent edge to edge relation, and meanssecuring said strands in substantially spaced parallel relation, theloops in said strands being aligned one with the other and cooperatingto form parallel tubular cushioning elements, the loops in adjacenttubular elements meshing one between the other.

l2. A cushion member comprising, in combination, a plurality ofresilient hollow arcuate elements, web means integral with the arcuateelements and supporting the arcuate elements in parallel edge to edgerelation, each arcuate element including a plurality of spaced parallelstrand portions, the strand portions in adjacent arcuate elementsmeshing one between the other, and means interlocking the strandportions in adjacent arcuate elements together.

'13. A cushioning member comprising a plurality of elongate strands ofresilient material, portions of the strands being woven, the wovenportions constituting strips, the strands of each strip merging into afolded portion that is arcuate to form a closed circular loop, thestrands upon forming a closed loop merging into a reverse curve merginginto a second flap strip.

14. A cushioning member according to claim 13, wherein the diameter ofthe loops is greater than the width of the adjacent strips so thatadjacent strips overlap each other.

15. A cushioning member according to claim 13, wherein the strips aresubstantially tangentially disposed with respect to the loops.

'16. A cushioning member according to claim 13, wherein the margins ofadjacent strips are in contact.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,884,535 Beyer Oct. 25, 1932 2,129,353 Harley Sept. 6, 1936 2,818,912Odor Jan. 7, 1958 2,922,466 Marston J an. 26, 1960 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,058, 125 October 16, 1962.

Louis J. Zerbee It is hereby certified that error appears in the abovenumbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patentshould read as corrected below.

Column 2, line 47, for "is" read as column 6 line 29, for flap" readflat Signed and sealed this 19th day of March 1963.

(SEAL) Attest:

ESTON G. JOHNSON DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of PatentsI 1 i l

